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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6 |
Just purchased PT Pro and spent the last 4 days trying to get up to speed. My main goal is to record backing tracks with mp3, karaoke, midi files and then record myself on sax on a seperate track.
I have successfully firgured out recording a mp3 or midi file and saving it as a .seq. Then adding on track 2 with my playing sax. After the sax is recorded I can add effects using the aux send (although I really don't fully grasp all the options) but I can't here any effects on my horn while recording. I would really like to be able to play with the effects live in the headphones. It seems that the headphone output isn't playing output from Power Tracks but rather just the dry mic signal from the sound card.
My setup: PC on windows XP, Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi sound card, mic and headphones plugged into Creative sound card on front of PC.
Thanks,
John Johnson
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6 |
Just found another post with same question and ASIO drivers were recommended and there seems to be a drain on the system with live effects. I have a 1.8ghz celeron processor w/1g of memory.
The Creative sound card came with a host of software also. The mixer/recorder does allow for live effects. Is there a way to go from that mixer to PT? Its capabilities are MUCH less than PT with the exception of being able to play with the effects live.
What direction would I go if I wanted to transition to playing solo live? Would I not be able to use PT for that since the effects can't be ran live?
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,459
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,459 |
Yep, a 1.8 celeron with one gig will likely struggle with the realtime FX.
Have you got the most recent ASIO drivers for your card?
The problem with the Creative effects would be using them on only one input, unless you have a second card available. If so you could assign all other tracks to the other soundcard.. but this would require a mixer to combine the signals before the PA if used live.
May be time to pickup an effects processor for the mic input. Or a mixer with built in effects. The mixer may fill many uses along the way. You will want a better preamp than the one on the soundcard for recording and playing live. Generally speaking the preamps on soundcards are not too well spec'd. Maybe a mixer with built in effects will serve for this. I have heard varying comments on the FX built into Behringer brand (cheapest). Yamaha seems to have a little better reviews on the effects side.
Small mixer with effects would run 100-200 bucks for a good one.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6 |
1st let me state that I really do not understand how this happened or what I have done but....
I turned on the ASIO drivers in Power Tracks and some crazy delays and latency issues came up. I got frustrated and decided to look at the mixer that I have used that came with the soundcard.
The mixer/recorder is easy to use but only records to audio files such as .wav and .mp3. I have used it alot for recording vocals and horn parts (just for practice purposes) and it does most of the effects that Power Tracks has but it is absolultly live as you play, zero latency. It's just like have effects on the mic before you go into the computer. The Creative mixer and recording options are limited and I don't think there is a way to do follow up mixes, over dubs, punch ins, etc.
So frustrated at the idea of having effects but really neededing Power Tracks recording capabilities, I closed the Creative mixer and went back to Power Tracks. POOF!!!! My sax now has reverb live while recording in Power Tracks. I think by turning on the Creative mixer and selecting an effect, the effect gets applied to the signal at the soundcard before arriving at the Power Tracks mixer.
I haven't really messed with it much but I was so happy that it worked I had to tell somebody. Now I'll be checking to see if the effects are adjustable only in the Creative mixer or if a magic switch has been flipped and I can do everything live in Power Tracks.
Thank you,
John J.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,459
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,459 |
"My sax now has reverb live while recording in Power Tracks"
But don't all the existing tracks also now have that reverb on them?
Maybe I need to revisit the Creative Mixer, its been a while.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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